There's no question 2011 was another great year for musics. But how was this year in appletinis? The Dallas Observer appreciates my love of the tini.

No other local personality has the courage to countdown the best appletinis of the year except me. Here's my fearless list. Cheers.

5. Marc Charles Steakhouse (Armonk, NY)

During a trip to New York to visit family a few months ago, this place was attached to the hotel we were staying at. It seemed like quite the swank steakhouse, but we just needed to drink. The bar was dark and fancy, and the barkeep abnormally tall. Seriously, the dude was like 7’ tall.

Vodka: Went with Grey Goose here on a count of they don’t have Tito’s in NY. That’s the only thing wrong with that state.

4. Benihana

I really wasn’t expecting it to be so good, but it was. This was a part of my #MarkAt30 birthday celebration weekend, so it was quite memorable. And if there’s one thing that me and Jet Terry have in common, we love that hibachi.

Vodka: Ciroc. To help Diddy's stock.

3. Sambuca (Uptown)

This is a fave among the after-work happy hour crowd (which is how I was first introduced since Uptown is not my scene). Their appletinis are small, which makes it easy to down seven and not even realize it. Then, before you know it, you're dancing to "Moves Like Jagger" being played dutifully by a cover band on a Thursday night. At least that's what a friend of mine told me...

Vodka: Might as well go all out and treat yo self with some Goose.

2. The Libertine (Lower Greenville)

One of my favorite hangs in the hood. They have great food, support local music real hard, and always make a solid tini.

Vodka: Whatever the barman suggests.

1. The Balcony Club (Lakewood)

After 20+ years, the venerable Lakewood jazz club was almost forced to close for good this year. But thanks to a flexible landlord, they were able to stave off closure and continue serving up the best tinis and live jazz in town.

Vodka: I like to keep it in Texas here and go with Tito's.

Is there a joint serving up quality tinis that I didn't mention? Let me know what I missed so I can check it out next year!